Govt will not spare culprits involved in Manipur murders:Govt

Published: Thursday, March 20, 2008, 4:35 [IST]

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New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi today assured the Lok Sabha that the Centre would deal firmly with terrorism and the culprits involved in the murder of 14 Hindi speaking people in Manipur this week.

Mr Dasmunsi's commitment came after members of all parties raised concern over the spread of violence in the name of regionalism and language.

The Minister said he would convey the anguish of the members ''directly'' to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whose government was already seized of the matter and would take strict action against the perpetrators.

On the issue of terrorism, the House was one and there was no question of casting aspersions. It was a great concern for the House that there was a ''selective target'' in the case of Manipur, he said.

Raising the issue in the pre-lunch sitting, Mr Ramjilal Suman (SP) said the Centre had failed to discharge its duty of protecting the integrity of the country. There was a parallel government in Manipur. This was a very serious issue as similar violence had taken place in Assam and Maharashtra.

Mr Shahnawaz Hussain (BJP) said the Union Home Ministry continued to remain a mute spectator to the violence against Biharis settled in various states.

Mr Devendra Prasad Yadav (RJD) said terrorists were taking advantage of regional feelings of the people and sought a joint operation by the Centre and the Manipur government.

Mr Prabhunath Singh (JD-U) sought the removal of Mr Shivraj Patil as Home Minister and the convening of a meeting with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Mr Mohammed Salim (CPI-M) asked the Centre to treat the issue very seriously as there could be attacks on people of the North-East settled in various parts of the country.

Mr Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) said the country would not remain united if killings were allowed to continue in the name of regionalism. He demanded an all-party meeting and immediate deployment of central forces in Manipur and Assam.

Mr Braja Kishore Tripathy (BJD) said migrants from Orissa were also at the receiving end.

Mr Ramesh Dubey (BSP) demanded an investigation through the chair.

Ms Ranjeeta Ranjan (LJSP) said it was shameful that such attacks were taking place in various states, including Delhi.